This Beet and Rye Cocktail Is Earthy in the Best Way

The unlikely hero of cocktail mixers right now: beets! Although it may seem confoundingly plucked from your grandma's garden, this medicinal root juice brings a rogue earthiness (and, not to mention, gorgeous red hue) to the glass. Do it up with sage-infused syrup, citrus juices, and rye. Remind yourself that it can be fall any time of year if you really want it as you sip on this homey concoction.

Recommended Video

Fork Yeah

Get 5 Katsu Sandwiches in One

BEET AND RYE

Total Time: 2 hours; Active Time: 15 min.

Yield: 1

Ingredients:

12 fresh sage leaves

1 cup sugar

2 cups water

1.75 ounces rye

3 beets, washed and peeled

½ ounce orange juice

¼ ounce lemon juice

Directions:

Make your sage ice cubes. Fill a tray that makes six large ice cubes with water. Then place a sage leaf on top of each cube. Push the leaf down so that it gets fully wet and submerged. Place the tray in the freezer and allow the ice to form.

Now make your sage simple syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the six remaining sage leaves, the sugar, and one cup of water. Bring it to a boil and then remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. Strain out the sage leaves and set aside.

Make your fresh beet juice. Chop the beets and add them to a blender with the remaining cup of water. Blend well until the mixture is completely pureed. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth in a bowl.

In a shaker combine the rye, ½ ounce of sage simple syrup, ½ ounce of beet juice, the orange juice, and the lemon juice. Shake until well combined.

Place a sage ice cube in a glass and pour the cocktail over it. Cheers!

Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.